INFORMED CONSENT IN SOCIO-LEGAL RESEARCH ON PEOPLE LIVINGWITH HIV: ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND BEST PRACTICES

Abstract

Informed consent is a foundational ethical principle that ensures participants voluntarily engage in research with full awareness of its implications. Obtaining informed consent is very crucial because it is the bedrock of any research especially when it comes to a vulnerable population such as this. In Nigeria, in particular, mainly because of its many heterogenous communities, obtaining meaningful consent from PLWHA poses unique challenges such as stigma, discrimination and cultural and religious taboos. Also included among the challenges are low literacy levels, and mistrust of researchers. This study shall be examining the key elements involved in the process of obtaining informed consent in a research while also examining how the elements intersect with legal, social, and cultural dynamics to impact the quality of informed consent and how cultural and religious norms in our heterogenous communities have contributed to stigma and discrimination, thereby raising disclosure and confidentiality concerns which are a major impact on the consent process. A cursory look at the adequacy of current legal protections and ethical guidelines in safeguarding the autonomy and dignity of PLWHA shall be done. The study therefore calls for the development of culturally appropriate communication, community engagement, and the strengthening of health and legal safeguards. Using a qualitative methodology involving already documented and reported interviews with researchers and PLWHA participants, the study highlights key gaps in the implementation of ethical guidelines. It also identifies major hindrances to ethical research practices. Despite these challenges, the study outlines best practices that can enhance ethical compliance. These include community engagement, use of culturally sensitive consent procedures, simplification of consent forms, and capacity-building for researchers in order to protect the rights and dignity of PLWHA in socio-legal research.